Rubiales stated that his close circle had told him: « Luis, you must care about your dignity and continue with your life. Otherwise, you will harm the people you love and the sport you love. »
The Spanish Football Federation has confirmed. « He informed the federation in a letter addressed to Pedro Rocha Junco (interim president, NDLR). He has also resigned from his position as vice-president of UEFA, » said RFEF in a statement.
Celle-ci va désormais entamer un processus pour désigner le remplaçant de Rubiales.
« I cannot reword »
« C’est fini »
On the social network X (formerly Twitter), the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, simply wrote « Se Acabo » (It’s over, in Spanish), echoing a slogan that Jenni Hermoso and her teammates from the national team had also used to express their protest.
« I cannot reword »
In his resignation letter, Rubiales claims to have acted with the intention of protecting Spanish football but once again denies assaulting the 33-year-old international player.
« I cannot reword »
« I do not want Spanish football to suffer the damages of this disproportionate campaign, » he said, referring to the allegations against him. « I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to ensure it prevails. »
On August 20th, a few minutes after the women’s « Roja » team’s world championship victory in Sydney, the 46-year-old Spanish football boss surprised everyone by kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, causing outrage in Spain and around the world.
Refusant de démissionner pour « un petit bisou consenti », il avait attaqué, lors d’un discours retentissant le 25 août, un supposé « faux féminisme » et argué qu’il avait obtenu l’autorisation de la joueuse avant de l’embrasser.
Jenni Hermoso denied the version and stated that she felt « vulnerable and victimized […] by an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent from (her) part ».
Plainte pour « agression sexuelle »
Suspendu par la Fifa pour une durée de 90 jours, Rubiales risque aussi d’être poursuivi pour « agression sexuelle » par la justice espagnole, le parquet ayant réclamé vendredi son inculpation après avoir reçu une plainte de Jennifer Hermoso.
Depuis une récente réforme du code pénal espagnol, un baiser non consenti peut être considéré comme une agression sexuelle, catégorie pénale regroupant tout type de violence sexuelle.
According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, Luis Rubiales faces a penalty ranging from a fine to four years of imprisonment.
The New South Wales Australian police stated on Monday that they were prepared to collaborate with the Spanish investigation, mentioning that they have not been approached yet.
Cette affaire a plongé le football espagnol dans le chaos en pleine candidature à l’organisation du Mondial 2030 aux côtés du Portugal et du Maroc, et éclipsé le sacre mondial de l’équipe nationale féminine.
Jorge Vilda, who is close to Rubiales, was dismissed by the federation on Tuesday and replaced by his former assistant, Montse Tomé, after being criticized by his players.
Luis De la Fuente, the counterpart of the men’s team, had to apologize last week for applauding Rubiales’ speech on August 25th, just like many other federation members.
Première femme à diriger la sélection féminine, Montse Tomé va devoir rapidement convaincre les 23 championnes du monde de mettre fin à leur grève alors que les prochains matchs internationaux auront lieu les 22 et 26 septembre.
